Charity says most support sought over housing last year
Housing needs and homelessness overtook substance use as the most common reason people sought support from the Ana Liffey charity last year, its annual report shows.
Last year, the Ana Liffey charity reported that housing and homelessness needs dominated the support sought by individuals, surpassing substance use concerns, according to its annual report. Housing-related issues comprised 27.8% of all support needs, outpacing substance use and treatment, which accounted for 23%. Established in 1982, Ana Liffey's primary mission revolves around delivering low-threshold harm reduction services to those actively using substances.
However, many of those supported by the charity last year were not battling addiction; instead, they grappled with housing instability. The increase in demand for assistance with homelessness signifies a shift for the charity, attributing it to mounting economic pressures. The organization has garnered support from the Dublin Regional Homeless Executive and Limerick City Council in its endeavors.
CEO Dawn Russell expressed a concern that individuals are just a paycheck away from homelessness. Support requests last year included social support/welfare (15.3%), training and education (10.1%), physical health (9.1%), legal/criminal justice (5.3%), harm reduction supplies (4.8%), mental health (4%), and family/relationships, including domestic violence (0.6%).
The report highlighted early successes through Ana Liffey's partnership with Dublin's Drug Treatment Court Programme, supported by the Department of Health and the HSE. Ms. Russell is optimistic about the model's potential to work in various communities across Ireland, stating that the enhanced work is already yielding better outcomes for participants.
The charity's Law Engagement and Assisted Recovery team expanded its Good Neighbour outreach service, targeting high anti-social behavior areas to connect with people and offer support. They conducted 651 pro-social and support interventions last year. The charity has elected to launch its annual report on International Overdose Awareness Day to celebrate recovering clients and pay tribute to those who lost their lives to overdose, suicide, and complex health conditions linked to poverty.
Written by urgent.news from RTE News's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
